Tag Archives: Jaguar

I Part With My 1968 MGB Too — But It Is Going To Really Good Home (So, I Am Happy).

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by Anura Guruge
on May 31, 2023

Click images to ENLARGE.

This is I, as I approach my 70th birthday, FINALLY acting mature & grown up.

Got my U.S. citizenship (after 38 years)!

Decided that I might as well get rid of my British cars SINCE I don’t drive them.

The MGB has been under covers, unmoved (let alone driven) for OVER 5 years!

The V12 Jaguar XJS had been in storage for 2 years.

That I sold them, on Facebook, 2 weeks apart is quite amazing.

Both buyers were named ‘Bill’ & they were both in their late 60s, just a TAD younger than me. They were BOTH wonderful.

The Bill that bought the MGB is from New Jersey & is QUITE FAMOUS. He is Mr. Figs! Please check him out — ‘Bills Figs‘. As you can see WE hit if off. We were friends from the first time we spoke on the phone last week. And his daughter. WOW. What a talented & SUCCESSFUL young lady. Having them here made my day.

He is going to FULLY RESTORE the MGB! That makes me very happy. I bought these cars to preserve them. I now know that at least two are going to be RESTORED. That is great. I feel I have done my bit.

Click image to access his page.

Bill was kind enough to give me two figs trees & he even planted one!
See the pictures.

I, for the first time in 9-years, no longer own a British car!
That this happened within 6 weeks of me
getting my U.S. Citizenship is a
TOTAL COINCIDENCE.
But, it makes me feel guilty.
Yes, I am now a DUAL-CITIZEN.
I do need to get another British car.
But, it has to be NEW & truly British.

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I Listed My 1968 BRG ‘MGB’ On Facebook Today.

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by Anura Guruge
on June 4, 2023

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Click to access the Facebook listing.

Click images to ENLARGE.

Should be pretty self-explanatory. Not much I can add. As with the 1989 V12 ‘Jaguar XJS’ convertible I sold last week, I just was NOT using this. This had been, under covers, in the garage, since 2019. The covers had NOT come off. Though I originally had the notion of preserving these lovely ol’ British cars, them just sitting, under covers, wasn’t doing any of us any good.

So, selling this one too. Some interest already. Someone is coming to see it tomorrow itself. I will let you know when I sell it. Wish me luck, though I am not sure I will need it. Beautiful car.

I Finally PART With MY BIG Cat, The Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible (1989). Sad (But Also Happy) To See It Leave.

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by Anura Guruge
on May 31, 2023

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I had got it for my youngest daughter. But, she is NOT able to use it as yet, & will be impractical for her. So, we sold it. She got 75% of the sale price. Given that she ONLY asked for $200 she is mighty pleased. She will get another car when she gets her license.

I was sad to see it go. It was a good car. Historic. When we took it for the test drive & the V12 kicked in, I felt a pang. Boy, that car can accelerate.

Not practical. Neither of the Jags were suited for my current needs. I need a NEW CAR with all mod-cons for LONG (800 to 2,000 mile trips — with 600+ miles a day). Hence, the 2022 Volvo XC60. I also have a 2022 Mazda XC30 (with 1,350 miles) for local trips!

I sold it on Facebook. It was listed for 20-days. Encountered some ‘crazy’ folks. But, the eventual buyer, from New Hampshire, (a couple of years younger than I) was SUPER NICE. Dealing with him was a pleasure & honor. Very straightforward & upfront. I liked dealing with him. A professional salesman (just like I used to be).

The MGB, is still under wraps, in the garage — between the Volvo & the 2021 Ford Bronco. Yes, we still have 4 cars! I will sell the MGB this Summer. It has not been out for over 5-years!

I no longer own a Jag! Wow. I am kind of in shock. I have been walking around in shock. I don’t have a Jag! IF ONLY they would make a RELIABLE BRITISH JAG.
I will NOT buy a Jag made by an Indian or Chinese company.
A Jag, NOT made by a BRITISH company, is NOT a Jag.
Period.

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The BIG Cat, The Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible (1989), Is Back — Registered, Inspected & Ready To Rumble.

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by Anura Guruge
on May 11, 2023

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It was in storage for 2 years. It then went straight to ‘B-Boys’ in ‘Barnstead’ — ‘Paul’, the wonder mechanic who takes care of all my cars. He got it going, checked it out & told me it would pass inspection without any issues (& Paul is a stickler). So, I have it registered & had it stickered. Passed the inspection, on Monday, with no issues found. I don’t remember this Jag ever having any inspection issues (mainly because I hardly put any miles on it).

I am going to be selling it. No point keeping it. I kept it for my youngest but she isn’t driving as yet & has told me to sell it & give her the money. So, I will be listing it soon — probably next week.

If you have any interest let me know. Lovely car. Mechanically very sound.

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A Garter Snake, A Marauding Hawk & A ‘Triumph TR8’ — Memorable Encounters Of The Day.

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by Anura Guruge
on May 8, 2023

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The garter snake & the hawk were during my daily, 4-mile morning amble. I encountered both within a few hundred yards of each other — on (or just off) ‘Prospect Mountain Road‘. Much of Prospect Mountain Road & the roads leading off it are unpaved (i.e., dirt). It is also pretty rural. I live, on another dirt road off Prospect. So, much of my ambling revolves around this road. That was indeed the case this morning.

Garter snakes are pretty common, especially around this time of the year, in this neck of the wood. ‘Rowen‘, our 2-year old Newfie, stepped over it. Did NOT notice it. Just walked straight over — just missing it, TWICE, with its front paws. That is Rowen. Not the most observant dog in the world. Too busy looking around, but not down at its feet.

We have a KETTLE of hawks near the top of the mountain.

Yes, a KETTLE.

I did NOT know that that was the term. I had to look it up. Over the weekend I saw about 4 circling around. Today, it was just this one & it was darting all around us. Came sweeping directly at us. I was not quick enough to get a shot.

The TR8 was later on in the day. In town. Nice looking car. I had a TR7 in the U.K. It was my last car there. I should have brought it over. It was the 3rd from last TR7 built! Its registration was ‘MGM 327X‘. I did NOT lust after the TR8 as I would have earlier in my life. I am in the process of parting with the TWO British cars I still have, i.e., the 1989 Jaguar V12 XJS & the 1969 MGB. But, I checked it over. Seemed to be in great shape. Bravo.

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My Jaguar XJS V12 Convertible (1989) Comes Out After A 2-Year Hibernation.

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by Anura Guruge
on April 20, 2023

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2015 ‘British Pride‘. Sold the red Jaguar XJ8 in August 2022. Still have the other two.

Bought this in 2015. Goal was to preserve it. That I have done for 8-years. But it is a shame to keep it in storage, unused.

When I bought it I did NOT realize it, but I have since learnt from Netflix’s ‘The Crown‘ that ‘Princess Diana’ drove a similar black model — albeit a 1987 (whereas mine is a 1989).

Click to ENLARGE. Click here to link to original.

In the 8 years I had it I never drove it much!

The Jaguar XJ8 was my main car till I got my Volvo XC60s.

I had kept this for my youngest but she is not that interested in using it. So, I will sell it soon!

If you are interested let me know. SMILE.

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#NotMyKing, ‘Charles (Of ‘Tampongate’)’, Driving A German ‘Audi’ — Yet Another Strike Against Him.

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by Anura Guruge
on January 15, 2023

Click to ENLARGE. From today’s U.K. ‘Daily Mail’ (link).

Yes, this is one of my pet peeves. The Royal family (which the truth be known (& told) is really more GERMAN than British) favoring German bloody vehicles over OUR British heritage.

Yes, I understand & appreciate with deep sorrow that ALL of OUR iconic automotive brands, i.e., ‘Rolls Royce/Bentley’, ‘Jaguar‘, ‘Land Rover’, are now, alas & alak, foreign owned. But, these names & others, e.g., ‘Morris Garage’ (MG), ‘Triumph’, ‘Aston Martin’, are still very British & evoke pride & patriotism.

Self-centered, spoilt, arrogant, out-of-touch Charles of Tampongate has no business or right to be seen driving a damn German car. Disgrace, but then again he is nothing but a total, unmitigated disaster. #NotMyKind — for sure, for sure.

He used to ponce around in an ‘Aston Martin DB2‘. Now, that was class & that was before he became Charles of Tampongate.

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘Google’.

I don’t get it. We are NOT (THANKFULLY) not a part of the EU anymore. There is no rationale or justification for his driving a German bloody car other than his stupidness. It is NOT right. It is a travesty. It is a disgrace. It just isn’t cricket.

The Queen, when in the U.K., was invariably in a ‘British’ vehicle — she particularly fond of Land- & Range-Rovers.

This was NOT right.

In 2018, after the ‘Harry & Meghan‘ wedding I wrote the The Palace to complain that the William & Harry had arrived in Windsor in the Mercedes van. I asked the Palace to make sure that this would not happen again. They did reply in a letter.

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The Queen’s Final Trip To Windsor Was In A Fine ‘Jaguar’ Hearse, APPROVED By Her — To My Relief.

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by Anura Guruge
on September 19, 2022

Click to ENLARGE. From ‘MyLondon‘ (click to access post).
Click to ENLARGE. The ‘Jaguar XJ’ based hearse — from ‘Google Images’ via the U.K. ‘The Independent‘.
Click to ENLARGE and read here. Wikipedia link.

Wow. Wow. Wow. I am SO RELIEVED. I was so worried that they would screw up again and use a bloody German hearse as they had done — inexcusably — in Scotland. I was glad to see in the Wikipedia entry above, for the ‘Royal Hearse’ that I was NOT the only one that had taken umbrage to this utter travesty.

It was good to see that a ‘Jaguar‘ XJ-based hearse was used (as was proper) — and, moreover, that the Queen had pre-approved of this hearse. Way to go. The right way that things should have been done. She liked Jags. I am glad.

OK, I will admit that I would have liked to have seen a sleeker design. Not sure why it has to be so bulky & have that awkward sloping design. No doubt someone must have put up some v. persuasive arguments. C’est la vie. At least it was a Jag. To I, & I am sure to many other Brits, that is what mattered most in the end. It was a Jag. Yes, I know & grieve OFTEN, that Jaguar is no longer a British company. To I that is so sacrilegious. That, however, alas, is a different matter. For now I am just glad & relieved that a British make hearse, rather than a bloody German one, was used for the Queen’s last trip. Enough said.

The DISGRACE of having the Queen’s body conveyed in a German hearse — albeit in Scotland.

Click to ENLARGE. Image from the “New York Post“.

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Parting With My Beloved 2002 ‘Jaguar XJ8’ With A Twinge Of Regret.

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by Anura Guruge
on August 13, 2022

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I had it for 7.25 (glorious) years. It was one of the BEST cars I have ever had. Did NOT give me an hours grief. Belying the Jaguar reputation it proved to be amazingly reliable & trustworthy. During those years it never needed any work done on it either! I think I replaced the battery & it needed to be jump-started a few times (where at least twice the blame was all mine). During those 7.25 years I, however, only drove it for about 33,000 miles (i.e., 4,550 miles/year). That was the problem. I just was NOT driving it enough — & I hardly drove it in the last 10-months.

From May 2015 to October 2021 it was my primary car — albeit with at least 5 other cars in ‘the house’ (so to speak). For awhile it was the preferred family car & it took us all to Acadia many a time. But, then we got a new ‘Nissan Quest’ and the kids preferred that given the extra room. That was the beginning of the end.

The problem was that the Jag & I were both getting old. I needed a newer car to compensate for my advancing age. The XJ8 had a lot of power BUT nary a safety feature. As I got older I wanted to have ‘blind spot detection’, cameras, lane-keeping aids, collision detection etc. That is why I ended up getting the accursed 2022 ‘Volvo XC60‘. Once I got the Volvo, despite the all the problems I had with the Volvo, I used it in preference to the Jag. I was going to keep it forever BUT it was sad to see it sitting under a cover not getting driven.

So, I listed it on Facebook yesterday, at 5pm, for $3,690. The first person to contact me about it, at 7pm, last night, drove away in it at 12:40pm today. We settled on $3,400. I was OK with that.

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‘Brandon Bostian’ Of The Infamous 2015 High-Speed Philadelphia ‘Amtrak’ Derailment Is ACQUITTED!

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by Anura Guruge
on March 4, 2022

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Click to ENLARGE. From the U.K. ‘Daily Mail’.
From my OLD ‘NHLife’ Blog.

This Amtrak accident, more than most, was of particular interest to I because we were supposed to go to Philadelphia, that week, by train to pick up my ‘Jaguar XJ8’. This accident happened about 3 days prior to our scheduled Saturday departure. Amtrak service into Philly from the North was suspended. We had to change our plans. Took the train to New York & then a bus. So, I remember this well & as you can see (above) covered it extensively too.

A few days later I happened to be around three railway lines, all with switches — phone/camera in hand. So I took the opportunity to take some pictures.

Elegant engineering. Very clever. Does its job well & simply too. Very clever.

I also happen to come across a DE-RAILER. Yes, the names says it all. It is a device to derail a train — i.e., stop it in its tracks. This is to prevent it going where it should not be going.

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